Chapter 2: The Photograph on the Table
Maya's hand shook so hard the wine glass nearly slipped from her fingers.
Marcus leaned forward.
"You okay?
You look like you've seen a ghost."
She couldn't speak.
She couldn't move.
James was already walking toward the entrance.
The restaurant door opened.
Every head turned.
James stepped inside, calm as a man who had all the time in the world.
He straightened his jacket, scanned the room once, and walked directly to their table.
Marcus stood slowly.
"Can I help you?"
James didn't even look at him.
His eyes stayed locked on Maya.
"I just came to give you a ride home," he said quietly.
"Since your mother is doing so much better."
Maya's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Then James placed something on the table between them.
A photograph.
Maya and Marcus.
Laughing.
Holding hands outside this exact restaurant.
Dated three weeks ago.
"This isn't the first time," James said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Is it."
It wasn't a question.
Marcus took one look at the photo and slowly sat back down, his face unreadable.
James finally turned to look at him — and something in his expression made Marcus go completely still.
"I think," James said softly, "you should know who you're really sitting across from."
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What James revealed next left Marcus speechless — and shattered everything Maya thought she was hiding.
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